Monday, November 24, 2008

Whether it's internet crime, DUI, a simple traffic ticket or a more serious misdemeanor like retail theft or internet crime, clients often ask: "Do I really need an attorney?" The client may have blown a bad breathalyzer test and thinks a guilty plea is a foregone conclusion. Or a client may feel they will just get the same fine that everyone else does without paying more money to an attorney.

Whatever your crime and no matter how guilty you may be, an attorney can only benefit you when you appear in court. You may feel you are "nailed" anyway, but as one attorney friend of mine once said, you may not realize just how deep that nail can go.

One person I know of represented himself on a misdemeanor case. The court convicted him on his first offense, instead of giving him the supervision that I know he was eligible for. In most cases, supervision allows you to clean the arrest off your record at a later date. But a conviction can follow you around forever. So by not consulting an attorney first, that person created a problem that he is still living with.

Not all attorneys are equal. An attorney who has a reputation for pleaing out every case may not get you the respect your case deserves. But a skillful attorney with a reputation for vigorously defending their clients can help you immeasurably. The court is more likely to offer a better deal when the court knows that the attorney will put his money where his mouth is and take the case to trial.

If you have questions about a criminal matter, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com

And "SEARCH AND SEIZURE," "MOTIONS AND DEFENSES" and "EVIDENTIARY MATTERS GENERALLY."

About Me

A criminal and school law attorney with over 20 years of experience, I have successfully represented clients all over the Chicago area. My practice includes DUI, felony, criminal, misdemeanor, homicide, internet crime, retail theft, traffic offenses, cyberstalking, drug or narcotics crimes such as drug possession or drug dealing, weapons violations, domestic battery and juvenile crime. I also represent families involving school cases. My clients come from all over the Chicago area including Skokie, Wilmette, Niles, Northbrook, Glenview, Evanston, Winnetka, Highland park, Northfield, Park Ridge, Des Plaines and Mount Prospect.
I am a member of the ACLU, Illinois State Bar Association.
Se habla espanol.
CONTACT ME: 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com

"Damned if You Do, Damned if You Don't: Behaving at a DUI Stop," by Art Buono. Sept. 20, 2011.

"Time to Shock Schools into Deploying Difibrillators," by Art Buono. November 3, 2011."Anti-Bullying Law Not Enough," November 16, 2011,

PUBLIC APPEARANCES:

November 15, 2012: Presenter: "Student Discipline: The Expulsion Hearing Games" as part of the Illinois State Bar Association continuing legal education course: The Student and Parent Side of School Law Issues.